Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus having a first and a second guide rails. The exercise apparatus further has a first and a second handle, the first handle being mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail while the second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further has a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward, and a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/189,501 filed Jul. 7, 2015, the entire contends of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly,it relates to a weight-lifting apparatus that simulates dumbbellexercises.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Fitness is increasingly popular among people of all ages andprofessions. The common approach for an exerciser who wishes to develophis physique is to practice strength training exercises that developmuscle strength, hypertrophy and endurance.

Free-weight versions of these exercises may involve dumbbells andbarbells which pose a certain degree of danger to beginner and veteranexercisers. For example, when performing an exercise (e.g., a benchpress, an overhead shoulder press, etc.), the exerciser is required tolift the dumbbell/barbell above his head or chest. In the case offailure to properly complete the exercise, the dumbbell/barbell may poseserious threat to the exerciser.

Several conventional barbell-simulating machines have attempted to solvethese safety issues by adding guide rails to plate-loaded assemblies.However, the adding of the guide rails has led to restricted movementswhich limit the development of small muscle groups known as stabilizingmuscles. Some of such machines have focused on safety associated withbarbell use [e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,500,608 and 4,527,797]. Inparticular, the Smith Machine [e.g., U.S. Patent Publication ApplicationNo. 2006/0252615] adds one pair of vertical rails restricting a barbellto two vertical guides and ultimately allowing only linear movements inone direction. The Dual Action Machine [e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,743]adds one more pair of guide rails perpendicular to the vertical guiderails and parallel to the sidetrack, thus allowing a greater variety ofexercises, but still limiting movements to two degrees of freedom (e.g.,up & down, back & forth).

The dangers of free-weight exercises become more prominent when theexercises are performed with dumbbells rather than barbells. In thepast, there have been attempts to design machines that simulate dumbbellexercises. However, the achievement of exerciser safety still led torestricted freedoms of movement. The Exercise Apparatus ProvidingSimulated Free Weight Exercises and Compact Stowage [e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,725,459] uses cables that transmit the weight stack resistance; thus,allowing for greater degrees of freedom. However, it requires the entireweight stack to move accordingly during the exercise. The inertia of theentire weight stack makes it difficult to horizontally moveback-and-forth. The Free Weight Training Simulation Apparatus [e.g.,U.S. Publication Application No. 2010/0216610] applies two sets ofrollers to enable horizontal back-and-forth movement. However, its leverarms, connected to the main frame, have a preset radius and thusrestrict the freedom of movement to an arc with fixed radius.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an exercise apparatuscomprises first and second guide rails and first and second handles. Thefirst handle is mounted on the first guide rail and configured to bemoveable up and down the first guide rail. The second handle is mountedon the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down thesecond guide rail. The exercise apparatus further comprises a firsttransverse support system on which the first and second guide rails aremovably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails aremovable over the first transverse support system along a first axistoward and away from the other of the first and second guide rails.Additionally, a second transverse support system on which the firsttransverse support system is movably mounted is configured to bemoveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include slidingjoints that enable the first and second guide rails to move over thefirst transverse support system.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include rollers thatenable the first and second guide rails to move over the firsttransverse support system.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails are movableindependent of each other along first axis and the second axis.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes a firstand a second horizontal guide rail on which the first guide rail isconfigured to be moveably mounted, and a third and forth horizontalguide rail on which the second guide rail is configured to be moveablymounted.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include at least onehole configured to receive a pin.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes slidingjoints that enable the first transverse to move over the secondtransverse support system.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes rollersthat enable the first transverse to move over the second transversesupport system.

In another aspect, the first handle is joined to a first plate hangerand the second handle is joined to a second plate hanger.

In another aspect, a bench is situated in a lower middle plane of theexercise apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1,showing detailed labeling of the components.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of the exerciseapparatus, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exerciseapparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat benchpress with an exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 10 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat benchpress with the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 11 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder presswith the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 12 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder presswith the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 13 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline benchpress with the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 14 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline benchpress with the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 15 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lungewith the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 16 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lungewith the exerciser in the ending position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference tothe following description of the exemplary embodiments and the relatedappended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the samereference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to an exerciseapparatus.

The exercise apparatus according to the present invention enables threedegrees of freedom of movement of plate-loaded assemblies for upper andlower-body dumbbell pressing exercises including, but not limited to,flat/incline/decline bench press exercise, dumbbell overhead pressexercise, squat lunge exercise, deadlift exercise, all whilst ensuringthe safety of an exerciser.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus 100according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus 100 includesa first base member 1 and a second base member 2. The first base member1 is joined to a first vertical strut 3 and a second vertical strut 6.The second base member 2 is joined to a third vertical strut 4 and afourth vertical strut 5. Upper ends of the first vertical strut 3 andthe second vertical strut 6 are joined to a first cross strut 7.Similarly, Upper ends of the third vertical strut 4 and the fourthvertical strut 5 are joined to a second cross strut 8. The first crossstrut 7 and the second cross strut 8 extend towards a center of theexercise apparatus 100, where they are joined. A first lateralhorizontal back-and-forth rail 9 extends between the first verticalstrut 3 and the second vertical strut 6. Similarly, a second lateralhorizontal back-and-forth rail 10 extends between the third strut 4 andthe fourth strut 5.

A first handle 29 and a second handle 30 are slidably mounted on a firstguide rail 31 and a second guide rail 32, respectively, thus allowing avertical movement up and down. Immediately above the first handle 29 isa first plate hanger 27, while a second plate hanger 28 is immediatelyabove the second handle 30. Weight plates (not shown) may be slid ontothe plate hangers 27, 28. A bench 50 (optional) may be situated in alower middle of the exercise apparatus 100. Furthermore, rest platehangers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 may be attached to any of the verticalstruts 3, 4, 5, 6 to hold a variety of different weight plates. In analternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the platehangers 27, 28 may be positioned below the handles 29, 30 or,alternately, the plate hangers 27, 28 and the handles 29, 30 may be onthe same horizontal plane. Those skilled in the art would understandthat the plate hangers 27, 28 and the handles 29, 30 may be composed ofa single body or two joined bodies.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top of the first guide rail 31 isconnected to a first horizontal left-and-right slider 17 and the top ofthe second guide rail 32 is connected to a second horizontalleft-and-right slider 18. As will be understood by those skilled in theart, each of the first and second guide rails 31, 32 and each of thefirst and second sliders 17, 18 may be formed as a single body or asmultiple bodies. The first slider 17 is slidably mounted on a first pairof horizontal left-to-right guide rails 15, 16 and the second slider 18is slidably mounted on a second pair of horizontal left-to-right guiderails 13, 14; thus, allowing horizontal movement left-and-right of eachof the guide rails 31, 32. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, afirst single horizontal guide rail may be used instead of the first pairof horizontal guide rails 15, 16 and a second single horizontal guiderail may be used instead of the second pair of horizontal guide rails13, 14.

Those skilled in the art would understand that the shape of the firstand second single horizontal guide rails would determine whether thefirst and second sliders 17, 18 may rotate in addition to sliding. Itshould be noted that while the first pair of horizontal guide rails 15,16 and the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14 are is set asbeing substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, those skilled in theart would understand that circumstances may require for the first pairof horizontal guide rails 15, 16 and the second pair of horizontal guiderails 13, 14 to deviate from the horizontal plane.

The ends of the first pair of guide rails 15, 16 are connected to afirst traveling member 11, while the opposite ends of the first pair ofguide rails 15, 16 are connected to a second traveling member 20.Similarly, the ends of the second pair of guide rails 13, 14 areconnected to a third traveling member 12, while the opposite ends of thesecond pair of guide rails 13, 14 are connected to a fourth travelingmember 19. This forms a first transverse support system.

The first member 11 is slidably mounted on the first lateral rail 9. Thesecond member 20 is slidably mounted on the rail formed by the firstcross strut 7. The third member 12 is slidably mounted on the secondlateral rail 10. The fourth member 19 is slidably mounted on the railformed by the second cross strut 8. The first lateral rail 9, the secondlateral rail 10, the rail formed by the first cross strut 7, and therail formed by the second cross strut 8 form a second transverse supportsystem. This allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement ofeach of the guide rails 31, 32. Those skilled in the art wouldunderstand that alternate configurations may be used to form the secondtransverse support system.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an exerciseapparatus 200 according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus200 utilizes rollers instead of sliding joints. FIG. 5 shows a detailedview of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus 200. A first roller39 connects the first member 11 to the first lateral rail 9. A secondroller 40 connects the third member 12 to the second lateral rail 10. Athird roller 33 connects the second member 20 to the rail formed by thefirst cross strut 7. A fourth roller 34 connects the fourth member 19 tothe rail formed by the second cross strut 8. This allows for independentlateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32.

A fifth roller 35 and a sixth roller 36 connect the first slider 17 tothe first pair of horizontal guide rails 15, 16. A seventh roller 37 andan eighth roller 38 connect the second slider 18 to the second pair ofhorizontal guide rails 13, 14. This allows for independent horizontalleft-and-right movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32. The fifthroller 35 and the sixth roller 36 are situated inside first slider 17,while the seventh roller 37 and the eighth roller 38 are situated insidesecond slider 18. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show a single roller on each guiderail, those skilled in the art would understand that multiple rollersper guide rail may be used instead.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the guide rails 31, 32 may have multipleholes 43 spanning a portion of the length of each of the guide rails 31,32. The holes 43 may be used for inserting a pin (not shown). The pinmay prevent the handles 29, 30 from sliding below a predetermined heightset by the pin. The holes 43 may be of any shape, including, but notlimited to, circular, triangular or rectangular.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the first roller 39 connecting to thefirst member 11 to the first lateral rail 9. As mentioned above, thisallows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of theguide rails 31, 32.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the third roller 33 connecting thesecond member 20 to the rail formed by the first cross strut 7 and thefourth roller 34 connecting the fourth member 19 to the rail formed bythe second cross strut 8. As previously mentioned, this allows forindependent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails31, 32.

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the fifth roller 37 and sixth roller 38connecting the second horizontal slider 18 to the second pair ofhorizontal guide rails 13, 14. As previously mentioned, this allows forindependent horizontal left-and-right movement of each of the guiderails 31, 32. In addition, a detailed view of the second roller 40connecting the third member 12 to the second lateral rail 10 is shown.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 9 and 10demonstrate starting and ending positions of the dumbbell bench pressexercise. During a concentric phase (i.e., a pushing phase) of thedumbbell bench pressing exercise, ergonomics require for the exerciserto bring his palms toward a center of the body. This requires thehorizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle 29 and the secondhandle 30. When performing a flat bench press exercise, the exercisermay choose to place a flat bench in the center of the exercise apparatus100, and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the first platehanger 27 and the second plate hanger 28. The exerciser may startpushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along thefirst and second guide rails 31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement,the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails15, 16 will allow the exerciser to bring his palms close together.Meanwhile, each one of the lateral rails 9, 10 and each one of thetravelling members 11, 12 add to the freedom of movements, allowing theexerciser to work out the surrounding small muscle groups calledstabilizing muscles. The iso-lateral design (i.e., the separation of theleft weight load from the right), allows the exerciser to move eitherarm independently, prompting the exerciser to develop a balancedphysique and muscularity.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another exemplary utilization of the exerciseapparatus 100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS.11 and 12 demonstrate starting and ending positions of the shoulderpress exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exercise shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, during a concentric phase of the exercise, ergonomicsrequire that the exerciser bring his palms toward the center of thebody. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the firsthandle 29 and the second handle 30. When performing the shoulder pressexercise, the exerciser may choose to place an upright bench in thecenter of the exercise apparatus 100, and load desirable amount ofweight plates onto the plate hangers 27, 28. The exerciser may startpushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along thefirst and second guide rails 31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement,the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails15, 16 will allow the exerciser to bring his palms closer together.Meanwhile, each one of the rails 9, 10 and each one of the travellingmembers 11, 12 add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciserto work out the stabilizing muscles. Again, the iso-lateral designallows the exerciser to move either arm independently.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show yet another exemplary utilization of the exerciseapparatus 200 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS.13 and 14 demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the inclinebench press exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exerciseshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, during a concentric phase of the exercise, theexerciser brings his palms toward the center of the body. This requiresthe horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle 29 and thesecond handle 30. When performing the incline bench press, the exercisermay choose to place an incline bench in the center of the exerciseapparatus 200, and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the platehangers 27, 28. The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward,with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 will allow theexerciser to bring his palms closer together. Meanwhile, each one of therails 9, 10 and each one of the travelling members 11, 12 add to thefreedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the stabilizingmuscles. Again, the iso-lateral design allows the exerciser to moveeither arm independently.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a further exemplary utilization of the exerciseapparatus 100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS.15 and 16 demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the squatlunge exercise, which requires back-and-forth movement as the exerciseralternatingly lunges forward on each leg. The first and second lateralguide rails 9, 10 and first and second members 11, 12 allow theexerciser to move in a back-and-forth direction. In contrast to theexercises described above, it is the first pair of guide rails 13, 14and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 which add the freedom ofmovement during the squat lunge exercise, allowing the exerciser to workout the surrounding small muscle groups called stabilizing muscles. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, this exercise does not require theoptional bench 50; thus, the bench 50 is removed or is not placed priorto the squat lunge exercise.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that an exemplaryembodiment achieves a safe simulation of heavy dumbbells exercise withthree degrees of freedom of movement can be achieved. This isadvantageous over the Smith machine, which offers only one degree offreedom, and the Dual Action Machine, which offers only two degrees offreedom. Further, if an exerciser is having difficulty completing anexercise, the present invention prevents injury to the exerciser becausethe first guide rail 31 and second guide rail 32 can be adjusted to asuitable length so that weight plate assemblies will stop once theyreach the bottom of the guide rails 31, 32. Alternatively, if the pinsand the holes 43 along the first guide rail 31 and the second guide rail32 are utilized, each of the pins will prevent each of the handles 29,30 from sliding below a predetermined height.

Another one of the advantages of the present invention is the capabilityto develop smaller muscles groups (i.e., stabilizing muscles) whileensuring safety as described above. The development of the stabilizingmuscles is achieved by utilizing the three degrees of freedom of thepresent invention and permits either arm to exercise independently ofthe other while preventing each of the handles 29, 30 from sliding belowa predetermined height.

Yet another one of the advantages of the present invention is that eachone of the rollers 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 may reduce frictionand increase the lifespan of the 100/200.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, withoutdeparting from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover modifications and variationsof this invention provided they come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: first and second guide rails;first and second handles, the first handle mounted on the first guiderail and configured to be moveable longitudinally along the first guiderail, the second handle mounted on the second guide rail and configuredto be moveable longitudinally along the second guide rail; a firsttransverse support system on which the first and second guide rails aremovably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails aremovable over the first transverse support system along a first axistoward and away from the other of the first and second guide rails; anda second transverse support system on which the first transverse supportsystem is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a secondaxis transverse to the first axis.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first and second guide rails include sliding joints, thesliding joints configured to enable the first and second guide rails tomove over the first transverse support system.
 3. The exercise apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails include rollersthat enable the first and second guide rails to move over the firsttransverse support system.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first and second guide rails are movable independent of each otheralong first axis and the second axis.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim1, wherein the first transverse support system includes a first and asecond horizontal guide rail on which the first guide rail is configuredto be moveable mounted, and a third and forth horizontal guide rail onwhich the second guide rail is configured to be moveable mounted.
 6. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide railsinclude at least one hole configured to receive a pin.
 7. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transverse support systemincludes sliding joints that enable the first transverse to move overthe second transverse support system.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim1, wherein the first transverse support system includes rollers thatenable the first transverse to move over the second transverse supportsystem.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first handleis joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to asecond plate hanger.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a bench situated in a lower middle plane of the exerciseapparatus.
 11. An exercise apparatus, comprising: first and second guidevertical rails; first and second handles, the first handle being mountedon the first vertical guide rail and configured to be moveable up anddown the first vertical guide rail and the second handle being mountedon the second vertical guide rail and configured to be moveable formovement up and down the second vertical guide rail, the second handlemoveable independent of the first handle; a first transverse supportsystem on which the first and second vertical guide rails are mountedand configured to be moveable therealong on a first horizontal axis sothat each of the first and second guide rails may move toward and awayfrom the other of the first and second vertical guide rails; and asecond transverse support system on which the first transverse supportis movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a secondhorizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.
 12. Theexercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second verticalguide rails include sliding joints, the sliding joints configured toenable the first and second guide rails to move over the firsttransverse support system.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first and second vertical guide rails include rollers thatenable the first and second vertical guide rails to move over the firsttransverse support system.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first transverse support system includes a first and asecond horizontal guide rail on which the first vertical guide rail isconfigured to be moveable mounted, and a third and forth horizontalguide rail on which the second vertical guide rail is configured to bemoveable mounted.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein thefirst and second vertical guide rails include a plurality of holesconfigured to accommodate a pin.
 16. The exercise apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first transverse support system includes sliding joints thatenable the first transverse support system to move over the secondtransverse support system.
 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first transverse support system includes rollers that enablethe first transverse system to move over the second transverse supportsystem.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first handleis joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to asecond plate hanger.
 19. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising: a bench situated in a lower middle plane of the exerciseapparatus.